Clarence Reserve 7-9 Feb

[Mart456]

Hi All

We are heading down to the South Island and were looking to drive the Clarence River / Reserve any day between the 7-9 of feb.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/clarence-reserve-conservation-area.pdf

We are also planning on driving the Rainbow road and Molesworth station a few days prior.

If anyone is in the area and would like to join us or already has a trip planned please let us know.

Martin & Nicole

[trucked]

we are also looking at going into the Clarence on this weekend, should be two trucks going. happy to have more along

[Mart456]

ok great, i will pm you my mobile number,

[tycho]

A nice area, we went in over 18/19 Jan. Track is good through to Quail Flat but the last 12km to Goose Flat hasn't seen any maintenance in the last couple of years. Still an easy drive but would be interesting in the wet. Well worth the short detour into Black Spur hut as you go past.

[DieselBoy]

Swimming in the Clarence river is like swimming in a heated pool!!!!

Have a good trip, it's awesome in there

[Mart456]

Thanks Dieselboy & Tycho

Trucked, Just checked the weather for next weekend, looks like a few thunder storms on the Fri, so we will prob drive the valley tomorrow instead.

Tycho, is the route ok to drive solo?

[oldblue]

Do you still need to get the combination for the locked gate from the run holder?

[DieselBoy]

Last year you just rocked on up to the start of the track, checked in with the doc ranger that's stationed there and fill out a form, get your number then roll on in.

Sign out on your way out

[Twodiffs]

We drove to Quail flat approx 3-4 weeks ago...track easily driveable and you'll be fine going solo, there were public vehicles driving in by themselves. It's steep in places so keep your eye on the road.

As mentioned there should be a DOC person at start of track. Ring and confirm if in doubt.

[tycho]

Thanks Dieselboy & Tycho

Trucked, Just checked the weather for next weekend, looks like a few thunder storms on the Fri, so we will prob drive the valley tomorrow instead.

Tycho, is the route ok to drive solo?

Yeah fine through to Quail Flat solo and OK to Goose Flat solo if no rain. It is a big drive in and out on one day-Quail Flat would probably be the place to head back. We stayed the night at Goose Flat.
Some pics:
http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... t=2&page=1

I should clarify that we did not drive it solo- I was leading the public tag along for DOC and in conjunction with the Canterbury Recreational 4WD Club.

[DieselBoy]

If you scroll down to half way through this thread, there's some stuff on Clarence river:

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=34588

[Bulletproof]

When we went in on the recce trip 9 years ago to open up the reserve we stayed at the Willows which was a good camp site.I notice it is not drawn on the map as a camp site.

I haven't tried but I have heard that on low river flow you can drive the river to the Cloudy range. It would have to be low as it is hard to ford in most places.

Have a good trip

Cheers Richard

[oldblue]

My reference to the padlock was for those that want to go in when it's not a DOC controlled weekend.

[Mart456]

A little late but here is our video if Clarence Valley from 2014

[Mart456]

Here's the detailed blog post:

http://myoverlandadventure.com/south-is ... ce-valley/

[Mart456]

some pics & blog from Molesworth

http://myoverlandadventure.com/new-zeal ... h-station/

[Mart456]

Here the Rainbow Road - enjoy

http://myoverlandadventure.com/new-zeal ... nbow-road/

[trucked]

Thanks for sharing that, awesome looking photos you have there

[DieselBoy]

Thanks for sharing, it's a good drive through that area

Shame about the truck getting ripped off at the port of Auckland when it arrived, seems like a very common occurrence with Roll on Roll off at that port. My parents vehicle received the same treatment in 2012 when it arrived in to the port using RO/RO. Have heard about a few more as well. We shipped ours out and will coming back in via the port of Tauranga using a container to reduce the risk.